City: Give Us Your Guns, Get A Free Flu Shot – And A Wegman’s Gift Card

The city of Worcester, Massachusetts is asking citizens to bring their weapons to the police department next weekend as part of the city’s annual “Goods for Guns Buyback Program.” In return for the guns, the city will offer gift certificates, and – a free flu shot.

“City residents, or residents of any other community, may bring their unwanted weapons, unloaded and wrapped in a bag, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday to the Worcester Police headquarters in Lincoln Square, or from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 8 to the Worcester Division of Public Health, 25 Meade St.”
Since the program began in 2002, “Goods for Guns” has collected approximately 2,200 guns. Last year 40 guns were collected by the police department. Deputy Chief McGinn said guns that are turned in are destroyed.

The program allows individuals to anonymously turn in “unwanted and unloaded” guns to the police department. In return, citizens are presented with a Wegman’s gift certificate. The value of the gift depends on the type of gun. For example, a long rifle earns a $25 gift certificate; handguns earn a $50 gift certificate, and a semiautomatic weapon, a $75 gift certificate.

This year, citizens of Worcester can receive a free flu shot for turning in a weapon. Also, individuals who bring guns directly from home to the police station will be granted amnesty if they are not properly licensed.

The “Goods for Guns Program” is similar to buyback programs across the country:

In Cleveland, citizens can exchange guns for gift cards and sports tickets. Hartford, Connecticut offers gift cards for guns as well – $75 for handguns or revolvers and $25 for rifles and shotguns.

Evanston, Illinois is also considering a gun buyback program after a high school freshman was shot in September, although city officials are skeptical about its effectiveness:

Sara Schastok, president and CEO of the Evanston Community Foundation says, “Of course, no one is under the illusion that people who intend harm as a way of life are necessarily going to turn in their guns.”

The Worcester buyback program seems to be working well so far, though it may be more enticing during difficult economic times to turn in guns for cash.

The flu shot gimmick is the first I’ve seen and I couldn’t help but remember the infamous line from the movie Godfather Part I:

“The program allows individuals to anonymously turn in “unwanted and unloaded” guns to the police department. In return, citizens are presented with a Wegman’s gift certificate. The value of the gift depends on the type of gun. For example, a long rifle earns a $25 gift certificate; handguns earn a $50 gift certificate, and a semiautomatic weapon, a $75 gift certificate.”

“In Cleveland, citizens can exchange guns for gift cards and sports tickets. Hartford, Connecticut offers gift cards for guns as well – $75 for handguns or revolvers and $25 for rifles and shotguns.”

For those of you NOT living in the Northeast area, Wegmans is the equivalent of an H.E.B., Walmart food center or local corporate food/grocery center in your area. It’s a big chain in the Northeast area. Especially in Buffalo, NY.

As far as the rifles go, who would want to only get $75 dollars when they paid $500 for a handgun? At least make it the real value of the gun. What kind of idiot would make such a trade? That’s about as dumb as trading gold for fiat dollars. WTF!

However, I do know a lot of stupid Northeastern sports fans and Sunday Football fans would give up their guns for some seats in the nose bleed for one 4 hour football game. Especially the fans in Buffalo, NY, which is my hometown. They haven’t got a clue about anything, but when they are being threatened by the owner of the Buffalo Bills (who I think is still Ralph Wilson) saying he will take away their team from them, they would give up their soul AND their guns to keep their team there. So sad. I’m so glad I got out of that town. Austin, TX is a sports town, but they don’t live and die for a game like Buffalo, NY people do. Hell, in Buffalo, NY, they have the game on the radio in Wegmans when you are shopping in a grocery store, instead of shopping music. NO LIE! I am NOT kidding you! Just go in there on a Sunday and hear for yourself. Even the department stores in the malls have the game on the radio instead of music. It’s pure dumbing down of America. It’s pathetic.

A shot in the arm, a shot in the head, either way you end up dead, culled, as it were.
Any moron who would give up even a bullet for this drivel deserves what they get.

Maybe gun owner organizations could stand outside the police stations and pay cash for the weapons. The cops say they are destroying them, but maybe they are going south as another tentacle of Fast & Furious!